Recommend a scope - SO much opinion out there. .308 Precision setup...

Silverado

Silverado

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Help me cut through all the noise; there are literally scores of pages of posts on precision/tactical scopes on here and in the Precision Rifle forum... my eyes are bugging out from all the reading.

Here's what I'm looking for: a tactical scope for a medium - long range .308 build on a Savage Precision Carbine. 90% of my shooting will be at 500-600m (favorite game is playing cards or clay pigeons on the 500m berm), but will also mess around with gongs to ~1000m.

My previous experience in that area: I had a Rem LTR with an IOR 3-18, and a Savage HS Precision with a Falcon Menace 4-14. I was happy with both setups, though the glass on the Falcon wasn't exceptional. I've also played with another shooter's Leupold Mark 4 and was suitably impressed.

Here's my want list:

Magnification: up to about 20X maximum; that's more than enough for what I want to do, and I value a crisp bright picture with good FOV. I've also struggled with higher powered scopes and mirage in the hot summer months. I suspect something in the 15-18x range on the high end.

Reticle: Must be FFP, and I much prefer a milling (hash-mark) type reticle over a mil-dot. I also want a fairly fine reticle; I hate Bushnell scopes for their overly thick reticle lines. Prefer an illuminated reticle, but not mandatory.

Adjustments: I would strongly prefer a Mil/Mil setup to MOA/MOA, and certainly don't want a Mil reticle with MOA adjustments. Would like a scope with zero-stop turrets, but not mandatory if the scope has slippable turret markings.

Price: The 'value' equation is more than just the price tag, but given the nature of this build, lets say in the $1000-1200 range. I'm happy to spend less if there's a good choice that meets my needs.

Based on the reviews on here, I suspect I'm looking at something from Vortex, Sightron, Leupold...

What models should I be looking at?
 
Take a look at the new HD5 lineup of scopes from Zeiss in their conquest line. This may be right at your 1200 price-line. I know, Zeiss doesn't come to mind when thinking of Tac scopes. I have a US Optics on an HS precision rifle and love it but am considering a Zeiss for my Tikka. In particular , the HD5 5-25x 50 with the New Rapid Z 1000 reticle. That reticle is specific to the .308 and I think the setup would work for you with the Tac/target , zero stop turrets. Do yourself a favour and at least check it out. They have awesome glass and from what I have read, a small eye relief variation when changing magnification. You did't specify a 30mm tube so these may work.
 
If you must have FFP, then you will be waiting for a bit for the new sightrons. Consider booking one early as demand should be strong.

I do alot of the plinking you suggest and use a SIII6-24X50 LRMOA reticle. I just leave it at 24X so don't care about scaling with various mag levels although that math is easy enough to figure out.

These scopes are instock now.

Jerry
 
The availability of warranty service for IOR customers has been a long documented saga here on the board, and we're not on the winning side. While they are great optics, I'll stay away until that's resolved.

I also found the IOR to be extremely heavy, and I'm hoping for something a touch lighter for a lightweight precision rig.
 
Premier Reticle, Tac Ord is a dealer. Oop's just saw your price range.
What about the Bushnell HDMR? or a Leupold Mark 6 maybe?
 
Let me clarify on price; I have the means to go much higher in price, if there's a compelling reason to do so. $1000-1200 is more of an arbitrary number keeping the price/value equation somewhat in line with the overall package; it's sitting on an $850 rifle.

Buy "much" higher... I'd be fine going to $2000ish if that got me the scope I really want. I'm not likely to be dropping $3-4K on this one... too many other items on the wish list!
 
The PR is in the $2500 range(buy once , cry once, lol), if you pick it up in AB then taxes aren't an issue.
There is a Gen 2 HDMR, and I think that it's Mil/Mil and FFP. IIRC it may be around the 2K mark.
I picked my PR's from Rick at ATRS, give him a shout if your interested.
 
i use a leupold mark 4 myself and never had any problems with it, very clear at long ranges, worth every penny. for ranges out at 1000m you want to make sure you have good glass, mid range scopes make it difficult to get a bright clear picture (especially when weather conditions are not prime e.g overcast skies). If you buy used just be careful when looking for deals i have heard there is a lot of knock offs being made of high end sights or tactical sights. (i always confirm serial numbers with the company). I suggest you look at nightforce as well i still regret selling mine even though i prefer my leupold.

+1 for sightron i have never owned one but have used one and they are nice. never shot past 500m though with one.

If you want to save money you can always opt out of tactical versions for bench rest versions and keep the quality.
 
Silverado said:
What kind of wait time are we talking about Jerry?
Click to expand...

At this time, there is no firm anything from the US.

If typical production timing, expect to see roll out of 2013 scopes in the summer. What? how many? what price? That tends to firm up after the scopes hit the US then make their way up here.

My suspicion is that demand will be rabid in the US so we will see only a handful this year. Keep an eye on the sightron website. There have been some very interesting and new releases that weren't even discussed in the 2013 catalog so who knows what new goodies will come this year.

On the plus side, pricing has not budged this year. Supply is all over the map but we aren't being asked for any "premium" so kudos to the importer on that.

hopefully, that will stay.....
Jerry
 
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